Fence-post



(No Model.)

M. C. CHAMBERLAIN & M. N. MERRILL.

FENCE POST.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MELVIN O. CHAMBERLAIN AND MARVIN N. MERRILL, OF LAO QUI. PARLE, MINNESOTA.

FENCE-POST.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 368,456, dated August 16, 1887.

Application filed June 10, 1887. Serial No. 240,916.

.To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, MELVIN O. CHAMBER- LAIN and MARVIN N. MERRILL, citizens of the United States, residing at Lac Qui Parle,in the county of Lac Qui Parle and State of Minnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in FencePosts, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention has for its objects to provide a fencepost and a supporting-base, the latter of which may be inserted in an excavation in the ground of proper shape, and turned therein so as to become securely anchored, the base being provided with engaging-catches to engage and hold the fence-post, by means of two bent arms secured to its lower end, so as to elevate the post slightly above the ground, in order to prevent rotting by contact with the ground, as more fully hereinafter specified. These objects we attain by the means illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 represents a perspective view of one of our improved fence-posts and its anchor, showing a portion ofthe ground in sec tion and the anchor-in position fastened therein. Fig. 2 represents a surface view of the ground, showing the excavation and the anchor, the latter being represented partly in dotted lines and direction in which it turns by dotted segments and arrows; and Fig. 3 represents a view of a key or wrench by means of which the anchor is turned.

The letter A indicates a fence-post, which is constructed of wood, and has attached to opposite sides at its lower end two flat bars, B, bent laterally at right angles, forming arms 0, which engage the recessed lugs on the anchor D. The said anchor consists of a flat bar of metal, and the lugs thereon have their recesses opening in opposite directions, so that the arms will catch under the same when turned in the proper direction. The

The anchor (No model.)

midway between its ends is provided with a rectangular opening, F, in which may be inserted the squared end of a key, G, provided with suitable handles, by means of which the anchor may be turned.

The fence-post is secured in position by placing the anchor in the excavation with the lugs up. It is then turned in the direction of the arrows in Fig. 2 until it is about at right angles with the excavation, by means of the key opening a seat for it in the earth. The key is then removed, and the bent arms of the post inserted in the aperture and turned in the seat until the arms 0 engage the lugs. The excavation is then filled up, the plate or anchor holding the post securely in the ground and preventing it from tippinglaterally, while the fence-wires will hold it from tipping longitudinally or in line with the fence.

In tough ground the plate or anchor may be omitted and the armsOturned directly into the earth.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim,and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination, with the anchor having oppositely beveled or sharpened ends and oppositely-recessed lugs, ofthe fence-post having suitable bars secured to the lower end of the post at opposite sides and bent to form lateral arms adapted to engage the recessed lugs and hold the fence-post when the devices are inserted in the earth, substantially as specified.

2. The combination, with the fence-post and the metallic bars secured thereto at its lower end and having lateral arms projecting in opposite directions, of thc anchor-plate having recessed ears formed upon its upper side, the recesses opening on opposite sides of the ears, whereby the lateral arms of the bars on the post will readily engage with the ears when the post is turned and the devices are in the ground, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof we affix our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

MELVIN O. CHAMBERLAIN.

MARVIN N. MERRILL. \Vitnesses:

JAMES It. POPE, ANDREW NELsEN. 

